Has anyone else heard the call of their refrigerator nonstop during lockdown? It’s bad enough that we can’t go to the gym anymore and can wear stretchy loungewear all day, but to have access to your own fridge 24/7? It will be truly impressive if anyone can come out of this without having put on weight…
Luckily, there are a few simple tricks to try to keep the unhealthy cravings at bay throughout isolation and preserve both your figure and your overall well being. Here’s what to consider the next time you reach for that Sub-Zero handle:
Avoid Snacking
When we’re bored, we naturally gravitate towards eating. It’s something to do that gives a hit of instant gratification and we’re all guilty of eating when we’re not hungry from time to time. Snacks are the worst because it’s hard to know when to stop and before we know it we’ve polished off that bag of Doritos and two tubs of Ben & Jerry’s. Oops.
We’re not saying no snacks are allowed, but instead of letting yourself go wild in the snack cupboard, try cutting back to one morning snack and one afternoon snack and leave it at that. If you simply must nibble on something every hour, opt for healthy choices like raw almonds or dried fruit. Sounds boring, but you’ll get the hang of it if you stick with it.
Stop Eating Lots of Sugar
If there’s one silent but deadly culprit hiding in just about everything packaged, it’s sugar. You already know it’s bad, but how bad? Let’s put it this way: Sugar can damage your heart, add unwanted belly fat, it’s toxic to your liver, bad for your brain, and is linked to cancer. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you haven’t ever thought about your thrice-daily desserts before, quarantine is actually a great time to do a little research and rethink what you’re putting into your body. You are what you eat! And we don’t mean sweet.
Don’t Overdo It on Carbs
Carbs will quickly make you put on weight, so it makes sense to cut back during this period where you’re not as active. Of course, your body needs some carbs, but you definitely don’t need a doughnut with breakfast and a roll with dinner.
Here’s an easy swap: instead of bringing out the tortilla or potato chips to scoop into hummus, exchange them for some crisp raw chopped cucumber, carrot sticks, or red pepper slices. You may not be a fan of the veggies uncooked on their own, but with the hummus it’s actually really tasty. You’ll feel more energized after this snack as well. A win-win.
Don’t Forget About Fruit and Veg
The best way to boost your immunity? Eat lots of food with natural color. We’re talking ripe red strawberries, dark blue blueberries, leafy green spinach; the works. You can also get lots of Vitamin C from oranges or a morning glass of natural OJ. You want to get as many nutrients in as possible to help your body out during this period where we are all particularly susceptible to illness. Natural, healthy nourishment is always a good idea.
Skip Deep-Fried, Processed Foods
Fried foods like French fries may be a go-to treat for many, but they should, for the most part, be avoided during lockdown. Although it’s tasty, junk food is really bad for your brain as it spikes your sugar levels, but doesn’t provide any real nutrition. We all know they’re not good for us and just because we have a creeping feeling of despair over being locked indoors all the time does not mean that we should indulge in all of the most unhealthy foods. Trust us, it won’t make things better.
Don’t Make Every Hour Happy Hour
The home bar may always be open, but that doesn’t mean drinking a glass of wine for breakfast everyday is acceptable. Drinking every day is not only terrible on your body – liver, skin, immune system, it’s also bad for your mental health. Plus, alcohol is made from sugar or starch, so you are drinking many calories without even realizing it. It’s ok, it’s not too late; just put down the glass and walk away slowly…
It’s not easy to eat healthy all the time, but if you avoid these toxic habits, you’ll feel a lot better overall during quarantine. Good luck and stay safe and healthy!
Rae Steinbach is a graduate of Tufts University with a combined International Relations and Chinese degree. After spending time living and working abroad in China, she returned to NYC to pursue her career and continue curating quality content. Rae is passionate about travel, food, and writing for Yummie.
